Duma begins plenary session to discuss candidate of premiership

Putin submitted Medvedev’s candidacy to the Duma right after presidential inauguration May 7

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MOSCOW, May 8 (Itar-Tass ) – Russia’s State Duma, the lower house of parliament, has gathered for a plenary session where the MPs are expected to decide on whether or not to approve Dmitry Medvedev’s candidacy for the post of Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.

According to Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin, 438 MPs of the 450 are present in the hall.

Under the Constitution, the Duma gives consent to the President to appoint a Prime Minister.

Putin submitted Medvedev’s candidacy to the Duma right after presidential inauguration May 7.

Prior to the session, the United Russia party and the Liberal Democratic Party /LDPR/ said their MPs will vote for Medvedev, while the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and A Just Russia party are going to voted against him.

Since the United Russia party has a majority of seats in the Duma, its solidarity vote will be enough to put the decision through.